The industrialised countries are producing an enormous amount of garbage. Western Europe -- an industrialised consumer society -- generated 200 million tonnes of municipal garbage in 1995. The cheapest way to get rid of this nuisance is to dump it in landfills, which remains the most common way to deal with municipal and household trash in Europe. Incineration is the second most favoured option. But recycling is increasingly becoming a priority in many European countries. Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany and Austria are leading the way.
Remains of the day |
While
metal recycling is profitable and popular, |
| PLASTIC: Western Europe produced 17.5 million tonnes of plastic waste in 1994, but only 1.5 million tonnes were recycled due to high costs and market conditions. |
| METAL: Metal recycling has been practiced for many years and is profitable. Half the commercial trade of the European iron and steel industry consists of recycled materials. |
| ORGANIC WASTE: Composting of kitchen and yard wastes is playing a growing role in recycling programs. In the Netherlands, more than 200 pounds of bio-waste per person was collected for composting in 1996. In the Netherlands, Austria and Germany it is unlawful to deposit organic waste in landfills. |
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